October 2013 Confab

Over 50 representatives of West Marin nonprofit organizations gathered on October 16 at the Dance Palace under the aegis of the West Marin Fund (WMF) for a ConFab on Nonprofit Law. Attorney and nationally recognized expert Tom Silk described the legal responsibilities of nonprofit boards in regard to fiduciary duties, commercial activities, conflict of interest policies, and more. Tom’s highly useful overview of these issues can be downloaded here: Silk on NONPROFIT LAW 101.

“Nonprofit law can be very opaque for people working in nonprofit organizations,” said WMF board chair Harriet Moss. “Having an expert in the field come to West Marin gives all of us the advantage of his knowledge and expertise—a great benefit to our nonprofit community.”

Jim Grant, who joined the Inverness Association board of directors a year ago, said he really appreciated Silk’s presentation, “I was a corporate guy before I retired and joined the IA, so I especially appreciated the idea of keeping employees fully informed.”

Ann Emanuels, president of the Dance Palace board of directors, was enthusiastic. “To a certain extent, we’re reinventing the wheel in our individual organizations. It’s a huge help from WMF to bring us all together for these types of gatherings. We can learn from one another, too. It strengthens and energizes all of us.”

The seminar was followed by a wine and cheese reception for conviviality… networking.

Representatives from local organizations and businesses sign in at the West Marin Fund ConFab on nonprofit law. Left to right: Meg Linden; Martha Howard; Ann Emanuels; Kathryn Lino